Miniseries Tapie (Netflix) and New Zealand series Rurangi (Arte TV)

1997. Businessman Bernard Tapie was imprisoned in Beaumets. Around him, the other prisoners chant his name like a fence of shame to salute a falling star. 30 years ago, young Bernard participated in a kind of crochet radio show. He will easily outshine Michel Polnareff who came to introduce “The Doll That Doesn’t Do It.” But history will not confirm this fleeting success. The starting point of a chaotic and vengeful ascent, driven by the desire to triumph over one’s social origins and ascend to all possible heights.

The first question that arises is: a hagiography or a satirical portrait?

A very good question because the businessman Tabby will not leave anyone indifferent and will not leave room for thoughtful judgments. We either admired it or made fun of it. The writings of Tristan Séguéla, the son of consumerism’s stars who knows the world of consumerism well, as well as those of Olivier Demanguille, author of the screenplay for the wonderful film “November”, among others, avoid the trap of summary caricature. Their goal with this seven-episode series? Relive the journey, between real events and fictional elements, of a man with an inflated ego and, with legendary candor, who leaves little room for doubt even in the face of failure. We know that there are many of them. As in bitter comedies, he carves a character out of a true legend, an inveterate seducer, by focusing on the astonishing honesty of this unscrupulous capitalist who believes himself to be a truly altruistic and left-wing person. Like when he bought factory manuals and then wondered before letting them go. A man of light, self-publishing but often burned, he is supported behind the scenes by his wife – the formidable Josephine Gaby – who is no less amazing than her husband. But the series also deserves a brilliant interpretation by Laurent Lafitte, who deftly balances the natural vulgarity with the hidden fragility of his model.

Another tip: “Rurangi” is available on Arte.tv until the end of the year…

A five-episode, approximately twenty-minute series from New Zealand. A few years ago, Kaz left his village so he could finally experience his mutant identity. And when he returns, after a personal tragedy, as a handsome, determined young man, the looks around him say a lot about the work still to be done. A sobering, clear-eyed fantasy about the daily lives of those who must struggle to accept themselves and to be accepted. But also about the place to reclaim and, above all, learn to no longer apologize for who we are. It is a fair, intelligently written, uncompromising novel, but above all humane and deeply moving.